System and method for dynamic enablement of storage media associated with an access controller

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods for reducing problems and disadvantages associated traditional approaches to provisioning using access controllers are disclosed. A method may include storing a definition data structure in storage media associated with an access controller in an information handling system, the definition data structure including one or more parameters. The access controller may create a storage partition on the storage media based at least on the one or more parameters.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates in general to information handlingsystems, and more particularly to dynamic enablement of storage mediaassociated with an access controller of an information handling system.

BACKGROUND

As the value and use of information continues to increase, individualsand businesses seek additional ways to process and store information.One option available to users is information handling systems. Aninformation handling system generally processes, compiles, stores,and/or communicates information or data for business, personal, or otherpurposes thereby allowing users to take advantage of the value of theinformation. Because technology and information handling needs andrequirements vary between different users or applications, informationhandling systems may also vary regarding what information is handled,how the information is handled, how much information is processed,stored, or communicated, and how quickly and efficiently the informationmay be processed, stored, or communicated. The variations in informationhandling systems allow for information handling systems to be general orconfigured for a specific user or specific use such as financialtransaction processing, airline reservations, enterprise data storage,or global communications. In addition, information handling systems mayinclude a variety of hardware and software components that may beconfigured to process, store, and communicate information and mayinclude one or more computer systems, data storage systems, andnetworking systems.

Provisioning of information handling systems has long been used in largecomputing networks, for example, corporate networks. “Provisioning”broadly refers to a process that may enable administrators to enforcenetwork security policies and/or assign system resources and privilegesto users of information handling systems in a computing network (e.g.,employees, contractors and business partners of a particular businessenterprise). Historically, provisioning has required substantial humaninteraction and/or intervention with individual information handlingsystems being provisioned. For example, in traditional provisioningapproaches, a network administrator and/or end user may need to installand/or configure an operating system and numerous application programson the information handling system in order to make the informationhandling system usable from a practical standpoint. However, in recentyears, more information handling systems have utilized accesscontrollers in provisioning information handling systems. Broadlyspeaking, an access controller may permit an administrator or otherperson to remotely monitor and/or remotely manage an informationhandling system, even in situations in which the information handlingsystem may be powered down or not have an operating system configuredthereupon. However, existing implementations of access controllers areoften limited in terms of the management and configuration capabilitiesin which they allow.

SUMMARY

In accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure, thedisadvantages and problems associated with provisioning of informationhandling systems using access controllers have been reduced oreliminated.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, a methodfor provisioning storage media of an access controller in an informationhandling system may include storing a definition data structure instorage media associated with an access controller in an informationhandling system, the definition data structure including one or moreparameters. The access controller may create a storage partition on thestorage media based at least on the one or more parameters.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, anaccess controller for use in an information handling system may includea processor, storage media communicatively coupled to the processor, andcomputer-executable instructions carried a computer readable mediumcommunicatively coupled to the processor. The instructions may bereadable by the processor and the instructions, when read and executed,may cause the processor to store a definition data structure in thestorage media, the definition data structure including one or moreparameters, and create a storage partition on the storage media based atleast on the one or more parameters.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, aninformation handling system may include a processor, a memorycommunicatively coupled to the processor, and an access controllercommunicatively coupled to the processor. The access controller may havea storage media and may be configured to store a definition datastructure in the storage media, the definition data structure includingone or more parameters and create a storage partition on the storagemedia based at least on the one or more parameters.

Other technical advantages will be apparent to those of ordinary skillin the art in view of the following specification, claims, and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present embodiments and advantagesthereof may be acquired by referring to the following description takenin conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like referencenumbers indicate like features, and wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of an example system for dynamicenablement of storage media associated with an access controller of aninformation handling system, in accordance with certain embodiments ofthe present disclosure; and

FIG. 2 illustrates a flow chart of an example method for enablement ofstorage media associated with an access controller, in accordance withcertain embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Preferred embodiments and their advantages are best understood byreference to FIGS. 1-2, wherein like numbers are used to indicate likeand corresponding parts.

For the purposes of this disclosure, an information handling system mayinclude any instrumentality or aggregate of instrumentalities operableto compute, classify, process, transmit, receive, retrieve, originate,switch, store, display, manifest, detect, record, reproduce, handle, orutilize any form of information, intelligence, or data for business,scientific, control, entertainment, or other purposes. For example, aninformation handling system may be a personal computer, a PDA, aconsumer electronic device, a network storage device, or any othersuitable device and may vary in size, shape, performance, functionality,and price. The information handling system may include memory, one ormore processing resources such as a central processing unit (CPU) orhardware or software control logic. Additional components or theinformation handling system may include one or more storage devices, oneor more communications ports for communicating with external devices aswell as various input and output (I/O) devices, such as a keyboard, amouse, and a video display. The information handling system may alsoinclude one or more buses operable to transmit communication between thevarious hardware components.

For the purposes of this disclosure, computer-readable media may includeany instrumentality or aggregation of instrumentalities that may retaindata and/or instructions for a period of time. Computer-readable mediamay include, without limitation, storage media such as a direct accessstorage device (e.g., a hard disk drive or floppy disk), a sequentialaccess storage device (e.g., a tape disk drive), compact disk, CD-ROM,DVD, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), electricallyerasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), and/or flash memory; aswell as communications media such wires, optical fibers, microwaves,radio waves, and other electromagnetic and/or optical carriers; and/orany combination of the foregoing.

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of an example system 100 for dynamicenablement of storage media 116 associated with an access controller 112of an information handling system 102, in accordance with certainembodiments of the present disclosure. As depicted in FIG. 1, system 100may include an information handling system 102, a network 120, amanagement server 122, and a content server 132.

Information handling system 102 may generally be operable to receivedata from and/or communicate data to one or more other informationhandling systems via network 120. In certain embodiments, informationhandling system 102 may be a server. In another embodiment, informationhandling system 102 may be a personal computer (e.g., a desktop computeror a portable computer). As depicted in FIG. 1, information handlingsystem 102 may include a processor 103, a memory 104 communicativelycoupled to processor 103, storage media 106 communicatively coupled toprocessor 103, a network interface 108 communicatively coupled toprocessor 103, and an access controller 112 coupled to processor 103.

Processor 103 may include any system, device, or apparatus configured tointerpret and/or execute program instructions and/or process data, andmay include, without limitation a microprocessor, microcontroller,digital signal processor (DSP), application specific integrated circuit(ASIC), or any other digital or analog circuitry configured to interpretand/or execute program instructions and/or process data. In someembodiments, processor 103 may interpret and/or execute programinstructions and/or process data stored in memory 104, storage media 106and/or another component of information handling system 102.

Memory 104 may be communicatively coupled to processor 103 and mayinclude any system, device, or apparatus configured to retain programinstructions and/or data for a period of time (e.g., computer-readablemedia). Memory 104 may include random access memory (RAM), electricallyerasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a PCMCIA card, flashmemory, magnetic storage, opto-magnetic storage, or any suitableselection and/or array of volatile or non-volatile memory that retainsdata after power to information handling system 102 is turned off.

Storage media 106 may include computer-readable media (e.g., hard diskdrive, floppy disk drive, CD-ROM, and/or other type of rotating storagemedia, flash memory, EEPROM, and/or other type of solid state storagemedia) and may be generally operable to store data and/or programs(e.g., one or more operating systems and/or one or more applicationprograms).

Network interface 108 may include any suitable system, apparatus, ordevice operable to serve as an interface between information handlingsystem 102 and network 120. Network interface 108 may enable informationhandling system 102 to communicate over network 120 using any suitabletransmission protocol and/or standard, including without limitation alltransmission protocols and/or standards enumerated below with respect tothe discussion of network 120. In certain embodiments, network interface108 may be configured with hardware, software, and/or firmware to allowits associated information handling system 102 to remotely boot from acomputer-readable medium remote from information handling system 102(e.g., a computer-readable medium coupled to network interface 108 vianetwork 120).

Access controller 112 may be any system, device, or apparatus configuredto permit an administrator or other person to remotely monitor and/orremotely manage information handling system 102 (e.g., via aninformation handling system remotely connected to information handlingsystem 102 via network 120) regardless of whether information handlingsystem 102 is powered on and/or has an operating system installedthereon. In certain embodiments, access controller 112 may allow for“out-of-band” control of information handling system 102, such thatcommunications to and from access controller 112 are communicated via amanagement channel physically isolated from the “in band” communicationwith network interface 108. Thus, for example, if a failure occurs ininformation handling system 102 that prevents an administrator fromremotely accessing information handling system 102 via network interface108 (e.g., operating system failure, power failure, etc.), theadministrator may still be able to monitor and/or manage the informationhandling system 102 (e.g., to diagnose problems that may have causedfailure) via access controller 112. In the same or alternativeembodiments, access controller 112 may allow an administrator toremotely manage one or parameters associated with operation ofinformation handling system 102 (e.g., power usage, processorallocation, memory allocation, security privileges, etc.). In certainembodiments, access controller 112 may include or may be an integralpart of a Dell Remote Access Controller (DRAC) or an Integrated DellRemote Access Controller (iDRAC).

As depicted in FIG. 1, access controller 112 may include a processor113, a memory 114 communicatively coupled to processor 113, storagemedia 116, a network interface 118 communicatively coupled to processor113, and a power source 119 electrically coupled to processor 113.

Processor 113 may include any system, device, or apparatus configured tointerpret and/or execute program instructions and/or process data, andmay include, without limitation a microprocessor, microcontroller,digital signal processor (DSP), application specific integrated circuit(ASIC), or any other digital or analog circuitry configured to interpretand/or execute program instructions and/or process data. In someembodiments, processor 113 may interpret and/or execute programinstructions and/or process data stored in memory 114 and/or anothercomponent of information handling system 102.

Memory 114 may be communicatively coupled to processor 113 and mayinclude any system, device, or apparatus configured to retain programinstructions and/or data for a period of time (e.g., computer-readablemedia). Memory 114 may include random access memory (RAM), electricallyerasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a PCMCIA card, flashmemory, magnetic storage, opto-magnetic storage, or any suitableselection and/or array of volatile or non-volatile memory that retainsdata after power to information handling system 102 is turned off orpower to access controller 112 is removed. In certain embodiments,memory 114 may store firmware that includes executable instructions togovern operation of access controller 112.

Storage media 116 may generally include computer-readable media operableto store data and/or programs. As shown in FIG. 1, storage media 116 mayinclude base storage media 116 a and optional storage media 116 b. Basestorage media 116 a may include computer-readable media (e.g., hard diskdrive, and/or other type of rotating storage media, flash memory,EEPROM, and/or other type of solid state storage media) and may begenerally operable to store data and/or programs (e.g., one or moreoperating systems and/or one or more application programs). In someembodiments, base storage media 116 a may be integral to accesscontroller 112, such that base storage media 116 a is a “fixed” or“permanent” component of access controller 112 (e.g., such that removalof base storage media 116 a would cause inoperability of accesscontroller 112).

Similarly, optional storage media 116 b may include computer-readablemedia (e.g., hard disk drive, floppy disk drive, CD-ROM, and/or othertype of rotating storage media, flash memory, EEPROM, and/or other typeof solid state storage media) and may be generally operable to storedata and/or programs (e.g., one or more operating systems and/or one ormore application programs). However, optional storage media 116 b may bean optional and/or removable component of access controller 112.Optional storage media 116 b may be installed in access controller by amanufacturer, end user, and/or any other suitable mechanism. In someembodiments, optional storage media 116 b may be externally accessibleby an end user and/or administrator. For example, in certainembodiments, optional storage media 116 b may include acomputer-readable medium (e.g., a flash card, universal serial busdrive, etc.) that may be added and/or interfaced with access controller112 via an external hardware port.

Network interface 118 may include any suitable system, apparatus, ordevice operable to serve as an interface between access controller 112and network 120. Network interface 118 may enable access controller 102to communicate over network 120 using any suitable transmission protocoland/or standard, including without limitation all transmission protocolsand/or standards enumerated below with respect to the discussion ofnetwork 120.

Power source 119 may include any system, device, or apparatus configuredto and provide electrical energy to one or more components of accesscontroller 112. In certain embodiments, power source 119 may include analternating current (AC) or direct current (DC) source whereinelectrical energy is provided from an electrical outlet (e.g., a120-volt wall outlet). In certain embodiments, power source 119 mayinclude a battery that stores electrochemical energy and provideselectrical energy to one or more components of access controller 112.For example, power source 119 may be a rechargeable battery, meaningthat its electrochemical energy may be restored by the application ofelectrical energy (e.g., a lead and sulfuric acid battery, nickelcadmium (NiCd) battery, nickel metal hydride (NiMH) battery, lithium ion(Li-ion) battery, lithium ion polymer (Li-ion polymer) battery, or anycombination of the foregoing, or any other suitable battery). Inoperation, power source 119 may provide electrical energy to one or moreelectrical or electronic components (e.g., processor 113, memory 114,network interface 118) supplemental to or in lieu of a “main” powersource of information handling system 102 (e.g., electrical powerprovided via an electrical outlet or a main system battery ofinformation handling system 102).

Network 120 may be a network and/or fabric configured to communicativelycouple information handling system 102, access controller 112,management server 122, content server 132, other information handlingsystems, and/or other networked components to each other. Network 120may include a communication infrastructure, which provides physicalconnections, and a management layer, which organizes the physicalconnections, information handling system 102, access controller 112,management server 122, and content server 132. In the same oralternative embodiments, network 120 may allow block I/O services and/orfile access services to network-attached computer-readable media.

Network 120 may be implemented as, or may be a part of, a storage areanetwork (SAN), personal area network (PAN), local area network (LAN), ametropolitan area network (MAN), a wide area network (WAN), a wirelesslocal area network (WLAN), a virtual private network (VPN), an intranet,the Internet or any other appropriate architecture or system thatfacilitates the communication of signals, data and/or messages(generally referred to as data). Network 120 may transmit data using anystorage and/or communication protocol, including without limitation,Fibre Channel, Frame Relay, Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM), InternetProtocol (IP), other packet-based protocol, small computer systeminterface (SCSI), Internet SCSI (iSCSI), Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) orany other transport that operates with the SCSI protocol, advancedtechnology attachment (ATA), serial ATA (SATA), advanced technologyattachment packet interface (ATAPI), serial storage architecture (SSA),integrated drive electronics (IDE), and/or any combination thereof.Network 120 and its various components may be implemented usinghardware, software, or any combination thereof.

Management server 122 may comprise an information handling system andmay generally be operable to receive data from and/or communicate datato one or more other information handling systems via network 120. Incertain embodiments, management server 122 may be configured tocommunicate data and/or instructions to information handling system 102in order to manage, maintain, and/or control information handling system102 and/or its various components, as discussed in greater detailelsewhere in this disclosure. In the same or alternative embodiments,management server 122 may manage, maintain, and/or control informationhandling system 102 using one or more management-based protocols, suchas simple network management protocol (SNMP) or Intelligent PlatformManagement Interface (IPMI), for example. As depicted in FIG. 1,management server 122 may include a processor 123, a memory 124communicatively coupled to processor 123, storage media 126communicatively coupled to processor 123, and a network interface 128communicatively coupled to processor 123.

Processor 123 may include any system, device, or apparatus configured tointerpret and/or execute program instructions and/or process data, andmay include, without limitation a microprocessor, microcontroller,digital signal processor (DSP), application specific integrated circuit(ASIC), or any other digital or analog circuitry configured to interpretand/or execute program instructions and/or process data. In someembodiments, processor 123 may interpret and/or execute programinstructions and/or process data stored in memory 124, storage media 126and/or another component of management server 122.

Memory 124 may be communicatively coupled to processor 123 and mayinclude any system, device, or apparatus configured to retain programinstructions and/or data for a period of time (e.g., computer-readablemedia). Memory 124 may include random access memory (RAM), electricallyerasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a PCMCIA card, flashmemory, magnetic storage, opto-magnetic storage, or any suitableselection and/or array of volatile or non-volatile memory that retainsdata after power to management server 122 is turned off.

Storage media 126 may include computer-readable media (e.g., hard diskdrive, floppy disk drive, CD-ROM, and/or other type of rotating storagemedia, flash memory, EEPROM, and/or other type of solid state storagemedia) and may be generally operable to store data and/or programs(e.g., one or more operating systems and/or one or more applicationprograms).

Network interface 128 may include any suitable system, apparatus, ordevice operable to serve as an interface between management server 122and network 120. Network interface 128 may enable management server 122to communicate over network 120 using any suitable transmission protocoland/or standard, including without limitation all transmission protocolsand/or standards enumerated above with respect to the discussion ofnetwork 120. In certain embodiments, network interface 128 may beconfigured with hardware, software, and/or firmware to allow itsassociated management server 122 to remotely boot from acomputer-readable medium remote from management server 122 (e.g., acomputer-readable medium coupled to network interface 128 via network120).

Content server 132 may comprise an information handling system and maygenerally be operable to receive data from and/or communicate data toone or more other information handling systems via network 120. Incertain embodiments, content server 132 may be configured to communicatewith information handling system 102 via network 124 in order to delivercontent to information handling system 102. For example, content server132 may include a website, FTP site, and/or similar site that maycommunicate content to information handling system 102. Contentcommunicated by content server 132 may include, without limitation,data, programs, and/or any other file or collection of files. Asdepicted in FIG. 1, content server 132 may include a processor 133, amemory 134 communicatively coupled to processor 133, storage media 136communicatively coupled to processor 133, and a network interface 138communicatively coupled to processor 133.

Processor 133 may include any system, device, or apparatus configured tointerpret and/or execute program instructions and/or process data, andmay include, without limitation a microprocessor, microcontroller,digital signal processor (DSP), application specific integrated circuit(ASIC), or any other digital or analog circuitry configured to interpretand/or execute program instructions and/or process data. In someembodiments, processor 133 may interpret and/or execute programinstructions and/or process data stored in memory 134, storage media 136and/or another component of management server 132.

Memory 134 may be communicatively coupled to processor 133 and mayinclude any system, device, or apparatus configured to retain programinstructions and/or data for a period of time (e.g., computer-readablemedia). Memory 134 may include random access memory (RAM), electricallyerasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a PCMCIA card, flashmemory, magnetic storage, opto-magnetic storage, or any suitableselection and/or array of volatile or non-volatile memory that retainsdata after power to content server 132 is turned off.

Storage media 136 may include computer-readable media (e.g., hard diskdrive, floppy disk drive, CD-ROM, and/or other type of rotating storagemedia, flash memory, EEPROM, and/or other type of solid state storagemedia) and may be generally operable to store data and/or programs(e.g., one or more operating systems and/or one or more applicationprograms).

Network interface 138 may include any suitable system, apparatus, ordevice operable to serve as an interface between content server 132 andnetwork 120. Network interface 138 may enable content server 132 tocommunicate over network 120 using any suitable transmission protocoland/or standard, including without limitation all transmission protocolsand/or standards enumerated above with respect to the discussion ofnetwork 120. In certain embodiments, network interface 138 may beconfigured with hardware, software, and/or firmware to allow itsassociated content server 132 to remotely boot from a computer-readablemedium remote from content server 132 (e.g., a computer-readable mediumcoupled to network interface 138 via network 120).

FIG. 2 illustrates a flow chart of an example method 200 for enablementof storage media 116 associated with access controller 112, inaccordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure. Accordingto one embodiment, method 200 may begin at step 202. As noted above,teachings of the present disclosure may be implemented in a variety ofconfigurations of system 100. As such, the preferred initializationpoint for method 200 and the order of the steps 202-214 comprisingmethod 200 may depend on the implementation chosen.

At step 202, an administrator or other person may create a definitiondata structure for a storage partition to be created on optional storagemedia 116 b. The definition data structure may include a file headerblock, database, table, and/or other suitable data structure. Thedefinition data structure may include one or more parameters for thestorage partition to be created. In certain embodiments, the definitiondata structure may be part of a library or repository of pre-defined orcommonly-used definition data structures. In certain embodiments, thedefinition data structure may include one or more of the followingparameters:

-   -   A parameter indicating the type of exposure of the storage        partition to an operating system (e.g., whether the storage        partition will appear to an operating system as an external        universal serial bus drive, a CD-ROM, a floppy disk, and/or        another type of storage medium);    -   A parameter indicating the size of the storage partition to be        created;    -   A parameter indicating a mounting mechanism for the storage        partition (e.g., read-only or read-write access).    -   A parameter indicating a file system type (e.g., EXT2, FAT32,        etc.);    -   An identifier (e.g, volume name) for the storage partition so        that it may be properly identified by an operating system;    -   An identifier for the storage system so that it may be        identified by a user, administrator, or other person;    -   A security key (e.g., a cryptographic key such that access        controller 112 or another component of system 100 may        authenticate the definition data structure);    -   A parameter indicating a timeout delay (e.g., a maximum amount        of time the storage partition may be exposed to an operating        system); and    -   One or more parameters defining a schedule for exposure of the        storage partition to an operating system.

At step 204, an administrator, end user, or another person may deployinformation handling system 102 and place it in system 100. For example,deployment of information handling system 102 may include coupling theinformation handling system 102 to network 120 via network interface 108and/or network interface 118.

At step 206, management server 122 and/or content server 132 maycommunicate the definition data structure to access controller 112 vianetwork 120. In certain embodiments, such communication will take place“out-of-band” such that communication to access controller 112 iscommunicated via a management channel physically isolated from the “inband” communication with network interface 108 (e.g., allowingcommunication to access controller 112 independent of whetherinformation handling system 102 is powered on and/or executing anoperating system). In the same or alternative embodiments, thedefinition data structure may be communicated as part of an updatepackage (e.g., a software or firmware update or “patch”).

At step 208, access controller may receive the definition data structurevia network interface 118 and may store the definition data structure tooptional storage media 116 b.

At step 210, access controller 112 may create a storage partition onoptional storage media 116 b and expose it to an operating system oninformation handling system 102 based at least on the parameters setforth in the definition data structure. For example, the createdpartition may appear to an operating system on information handlingsystem 102 (e.g., as a USB drive) based on parameters set forth in thedefinition data structure, and/or may be sized in accordance withparameters set forth in the definition data structure.

At step 212, management server 122 and/or content server 132 maycommunicate an image access controller 112. The image may include one ormore applications, agents, and/or data that an administrator, end user,or other person may desire to have executed or otherwise made availableto information handling system 102 and/or an operating system executingthereupon. In certain embodiments, the communication of the image frommanagement server 122 and/or content server 132 to the storage partitionon optical storage media 116 b may be initiated automatically. Forexample, management server 122 and/or content server 132 may beconfigured to deliver the image immediately after or a specified timeafter receipt of the definition data structure and/or creating of thepartition by access controller 112. In other embodiments, thecommunication of the image may be initiated manually (e.g., by anadministrator and/or other person issuing a command or other instructionfor delivery of the data). In certain embodiments, the image may becommunicated out of band.

In certain embodiments, the server communicating an image to accesscontroller 112 may be the same of different than the servercommunicating the definition data structure ay step 206. For example, insome embodiments, an administrator may (at step 206) instruct managementserver 122 to communicate a definition data structure to accesscontroller 112, which may then cause access controller to create anappropriate partition on storage media 116 b. Subsequently, at step 212,content server 132 may (e.g., in response to a request from either ofmanagement server 122 and/or access controller 112 or other indicationthat the appropriate partition has been created on storage media 116 b)communicate an image to access controller 112.

At step 214, access controller 112 may receive the image (e.g., vianetwork interface 118) and store it in the storage partition. Oncestored in the storage partition, the image may be accessible byinformation handling system 102 and/or an operating system executingthereupon based at least on parameters present in the definition datastructure. After completion of step 214, method 200 may end.

Although FIG. 2 discloses a particular number of steps to be taken withrespect to method 200, method 200 may be executed with greater or lessersteps than those depicted in FIG. 2. For example, in certainembodiments, steps 202 and/or 204 may not be executed. In suchembodiments, management server 122 or content server 132 may communicatea pre-existing definition data structure to access controller 112 of apre-existing information handling system at step 206, and method 200 mayproceed as set forth above. As another example, in certain embodiments,steps 202-210 may not be executed. In such embodiments, a managementserver 122 and/or content server 132 may communicate an image to accesscontroller at 112, and access controller 112 may store such image in apre-existing storage partition.

In addition, although FIG. 2 discloses a certain order of steps to betaken with respect to method 200, the steps comprising method 200 may becompleted in any suitable order. For example, in some embodiments, step204 may be performed before, after, or substantially contemporaneous tostep 202. As another example, in some embodiments, information handlingsystem 102 may be deployed with the definition data structure alreadystored on optional storage media 116 b.

Method 200 may be implemented using system 100 or any other systemoperable to implement method 200. In certain embodiments, method 200 maybe implemented partially or fully in software and/or firmware embodiedin computer-readable media.

Methods similar to method 200 above may be used to provide for creationand/or management of other partitions on optional storage media 116 b,and/or the delivery and/or management of other images on optionalstorage media 116 b. For example, if an administrator desires to createan additional partition on optional storage media 116, the administratoror another person may communicate a new definition data structure toaccess controller 112, which may then create the new partition definedby the definition data structure or modify an existing partition asdefined by the definition data structure. As another example, anadministrator or another person may communicate a new image to be storedon a newly-created partition, or an already-existing partition.

In addition, methods similar to method 200 above may be used to providefor deletion or disablement of previously-created partitions and/ordelivered images. For example, an administrator may communicate a newdefinition data structure to access controller 112, which may, whenprocessed by the access controller, delete or disable an image and/orpartition (e.g., by ending its exposure to an operating system).

Using the methods and systems disclosed herein, problems associated withconventional approaches to provisioning of an information handlingsystem may be improved, reduced, or eliminated. For example, the methodsand systems disclosed herein allow for the ability to create an“on-the-fly” partition on an access controller of an informationhandling system, wherein the creation, operation, and consumption of thepartition is out of band and agnostic of any operating system present onthe information handling system. In addition, the systems and methodsdisclosed herein provide a mechanism whereby specific applications,agents, and/or data may be delivered to the partition.

Although the present disclosure has been described in detail, it shouldbe understood that various changes, substitutions, and alterations canbe made hereto without departing from the spirit and the scope of thedisclosure as defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for provisioning storage media of anaccess controller in an information handling system, comprising:receiving a definition data structure via an out-of-band managementchannel coupling a network to an access controller integral to theinformation handling system, the out-of-band management channelphysically isolated from an in-band communication channel coupling theinformation handling system to the network via a network interfaceintegral to the information handling system and independent of theaccess controller, wherein the out-of-band management channel isconfigured to receive communications regardless of the power state ofthe information handling system; storing the definition data structurein storage media associated with the access controller, the definitiondata structure including one or more parameters; and the accesscontroller creating a storage partition on the storage media based atleast on the one or more parameters.
 2. A method according to claim 1,the one or more parameters including at least one of: (i) a parameterindicating a type of exposure of the storage partition to an operatingsystem executing on the information handling system, (ii) a parameterindicating a size of the storage partition to be created, (iii) aparameter indicating a mounting mechanism for the storage partition,(iv) a parameter indicating a file system type, (v) an identifier forthe storage partition, (vi) a security key, (vii) a parameter indicatinga timeout delay, and (viii) a parameter defining a schedule for exposureof the storage partition to an operating system.
 3. A method accordingto claim 1, further comprising creating the definition data structure.4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the definition data structureis received from one of a management server and a content server.
 5. Amethod according to claim 1, further comprising: the access controllerreceiving an image; and the access controller storing the image on thestorage partition such that the image may be read by an operating systemexecuting on the information handling system.
 6. A method according toclaim 5, wherein receiving the image includes receiving the image out ofband via a management channel physically isolated from an in-bandcommunication channel associated with a network interface of theinformation handling system.
 7. A method according to claim 5, whereinthe image is received from one of a management server and a contentserver.
 8. An access controller for use in an information handlingsystem, comprising: a processor; storage media communicatively coupledto the processor; and computer-executable instructions carried acomputer readable medium communicatively coupled to the processor, theinstructions readable by the processor, the instructions, when read andexecuted, for causing the processor to: receive a definition datastructure via an out-of-band management channel coupling the accesscontroller to a network, the out-of-band management channel physicallyisolated from an in-band communication channel coupling the informationhandling system to the network via a network interface integral to theinformation handling system and independent of the access controller,wherein the out-of-band management channel is configured to receivecommunications regardless of the power state of the information handlingsystem; store a definition data structure in the storage media, thedefinition data structure including one or more parameters; and create astorage partition on the storage media based at least on the one or moreparameters.
 9. An access controller according to claim 8, the one ormore parameters including at least one of: (i) a parameter indicating atype of exposure of the storage partition to an operating systemexecuting on the information handling system, (ii) a parameterindicating a size of the storage partition to be created, (iii) aparameter indicating a mounting mechanism for the storage partition,(iv) a parameter indicating a file system type, (v) an identifier forthe storage partition, (vi) a security key, (vii) a parameter indicatinga timeout delay, and (viii) a parameter defining a schedule for exposureof the storage partition to an operating system.
 10. An accesscontroller according to claim 8, the computer-readable instructionsfurther operable to cause the processor to receive the definition datastructure from one of a management server and a content server.
 11. Anaccess controller according to claim 8, the computer-readableinstructions further operable to cause the processor to: receive animage; and store the image on the storage partition such that the imagemay be read by an operating system executing on an information handlingsystem associated with the access controller.
 12. An access controlleraccording to claim 11, the computer-readable instructions furtheroperable to cause the processor to receive the image out of band via amanagement channel physically isolated from an in-band communicationchannel associated with a network interface of the information handlingsystem.
 13. An access controller according to claim 11, thecomputer-readable instructions further operable to cause the processorto receive the image from one of a management server and a contentserver.
 14. An information handling system comprising: a processor; amemory communicatively coupled to the processor; a network interfaceconfigured to couple the information handling system to a network via anin-band communication channel; and an access controller communicativelycoupled to the processor and independent of the network interface, theaccess controller having a storage media and configured to: receive adefinition data structure via an out-of-band management channel couplingthe access controller to a network, the out-of-band management channelphysically isolated from the in-band communication channel, wherein theout-of-band management channel is configured to receive communicationsregardless of the power state of the information handling system; storethe definition data structure in the storage media, the definition datastructure including one or more parameters; and create a storagepartition on the storage media based at least on the one or moreparameters.
 15. An information handling system according to claim 14,the access controller further configured to: store the image on thestorage partition such that the image may be read by the processor. 16.An information handling system according to claim 14, the one or moreparameters including at least one of: (i) a parameter indicating a typeof exposure of the storage partition to an operating system executing onthe information handling system, (ii) a parameter indicating a size ofthe storage partition to be created, (iii) a parameter indicating amounting mechanism for the storage partition, (iv) a parameterindicating a file system type, (v) an identifier for the storagepartition, (vi) a security key, (vii) a parameter indicating a timeoutdelay, and (viii) a parameter defining a schedule for exposure of thestorage partition to an operating system.
 17. An information handlingsystem according to claim 14, the access controller further configuredto create the definition data structure.
 18. An information handlingsystem according to claim 14, wherein receiving the definition datastructure comprises receiving the definition data structure from one ofa management server and a content server.
 19. An information handlingsystem according to claim 14, the access controller further configuredto: receive an image; and store the image on the storage partition suchthat the image may be read by an operating system executing on theinformation handling system.
 20. An information handling systemaccording to claim 14, wherein receiving the image includes receivingthe image out of band via a management channel physically isolated froman in-band communication channel associated with a network interface ofthe information handling system.